Tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel

ABSTRACT

The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel includes a ratchet mechanism for tightening a cargo or tiedown strap and a reel for securing the free end of the strap. The reel includes at least one take-up crank extending radially from at least one end of the take-up reel shaft, the circular path of the distal end of the take-up crank extending into the arc subtended by the ratchet handle during its operation. When the ratchet handle is placed in its stowed position, the handle interferes with travel of the take-up crank, thus preventing the take-up crank from rotating to allow the free end of the strap to unwind from the reel. The take-up reel may have various take-up crank configurations, e.g., a single crank, cranks extending from the opposite ends of the reel shaft, one or two double-ended cranks, etc.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/454,942, filed Mar. 21, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to straps used to secure cargo, and particularly to a tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel that includes a lockable take-up reel for securing the free end of the strap that would otherwise extend from the ratchet.

2. Description of the Related Art

Ratcheting load binders for tightening hold-down straps for freight or cargo carried on flatbed trailers and the like have been known for a considerable period of time. These devices may have a number of different configurations, but conventionally include a short length of strap that hooks to an anchor member on the trailer or other structure and a longer strap that passes through or around a rotary shaft turned by a ratcheting handle or lever to tighten the longer strap.

Of course, the working length of the strap required to secure the load will depend upon the dimensions of the load and the dimensions of the carrying vehicle as well. As a result, most such load binders accommodate straps having considerable length in order to secure relatively large loads. However, when smaller loads are carried, the excess strap extends from the load binder and must be dealt with in some manner. Often, several feet of the free end of the strap extend from the tiedown ratchet or load binder, and this lengthy strap extension can do considerable damage to passing vehicles, or perhaps pedestrians, if it is left to flail in the wind. Accordingly, most, if not all, jurisdictions have laws or regulations requiring the free ends of such straps to be secured in some manner.

This is conventionally accomplished by tying and tucking the free end beneath the taut portion of the strap that secures the cargo or freight. However, regardless of the care used in securing the free end, it will often work loose over a period of time as the vehicle travels. Thus, a tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel serves as a device for tightening a tiedown strap, as well as for securing the free end of that strap. The device includes a strap take-up ratchet having a ratchet handle operating therewith for tightening the strap and holding the desired tautness of the strap. The device further includes a reel extending from the distal end of the frame, i.e., opposite the take-up ratchet, for winding the free end of the strap thereon.

The reel for the excess strap length includes at least one crank extending radially therefrom. The reel crank is of sufficient length to extend into the arc subtended by the ratchet handle during its operation. Thus, the ratchet handle interferes with the travel of the reel crank when the ratchet handle is in its stowed position, preventing the reel crank from rotating and allowing the free end or the strap to unwind from the reel. Yet when the ratchet handle is raised, its distal end clears the circular arc described by the reel crank, allowing the reel crank to be rotated to wind the free end of the strap onto the reel.

Various embodiments of the tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel are disclosed herein, primarily differing in the configurations of the reel crank. In one embodiment only a single crank is provided that extends radially from one end of the reel shaft or axis. Another embodiment comprises two such cranks extending from opposite ends of the take-up reel shaft at 180° to one another. This allows either crank end to be retained by the ratchet handle, thereby allowing a maximum rotation of only 180° for the take-up reel. Yet another embodiment comprises a reel crank extending from one end of the reel shaft, the crank being double-ended, i.e., having two distal ends 180° apart. Still another embodiment comprises two such double-ended reel cranks, one crank extending from each end of the reel shaft, and their elongate axes perpendicular to one another. This limits the reel to no more than 90° of rotation when the ratchet handle is in its stowed position to interfere with the reel crank.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a right side environmental, perspective view of a first embodiment of a tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to the present invention, showing the operation thereof.

FIG. 2 is a right side elevation view of the tiedown strap ratchet of FIG. 1, showing the lowered or stowed ratchet handle blocking the rotation of the reel crank.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the tiedown strap ratchet of FIGS. 1 and 2, showing the lowered or stowed ratchet handle blocking the rotation of the reel crank.

FIG. 4 is a right side environmental perspective view of a second embodiment of a tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to the present invention, the second embodiment having two axially opposed winding cranks.

FIG. 5 is a right side elevation view of a third embodiment of a tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to the present invention, the third embodiment having a double-ended winding crank at one end of the take-up reel shaft.

FIG. 6 is an environmental perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to the present invention, the fourth embodiment having two axially opposed, double-ended winding cranks.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel secures the free end of the tiedown strap after a load has been secured. The various embodiments of the ratchet differ from one another in the different configurations of their winding cranks or arms for the take-up reels.

FIGS. 1 through 3 illustrate a first embodiment of the tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel device 10 having a single crank arm extending from the reel shaft. The device 10 comprises a frame 12 having a ratchet end 14 and opposite anchor strap end 16, and an anchor strap 18 extending from the anchor strap end 16. The opposite ratchet end 14 has a ratchet mechanism 20 installed therein that serves to tighten the working portion 22 of the tiedown strap extending therefrom. A ratchet handle 24 extends radially from the ratchet mechanism 20. The handle 24 has a selectively stowed position, as shown in solid lines in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings.

Parallel, mutually opposed first and second reel arms 26 a and 26 b extend from the anchor strap end 16 of the frame 12. A strap take-up shaft 28 extends across or between the distal ends of the two reel arms 26 a, 26 b. The rotating shaft 28 includes opposite first and second ends 28 a, 28 b, the first end 28 a being shown in FIG. 3. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 3, a take-up reel crank 30 having a single radial arm extends from the second end 28 b of the shaft 28, crank rotation being limited by the position of the ratchet handle 24 when the ratchet handle 24 is in its stowed position.

This limitation of the rotation of the take-up reel crank is best explained by reference to FIG. 3. It will be seen that the frame 12 has a width 32. The arms 26 a, 26 b of the take-up reel defining a width 34 substantially equal to the width 32 of the frame 12. The ratchet handle 24 has a width 36 somewhat greater than the widths 32 and 34 of the frame and take-up reel arms 26 a, 26 b to provide operating clearance for movement of the ratchet handle 24. The width of the ratchet handle is also somewhat greater than the width of the assembly, including the take-up reel crank 30. Accordingly, the crank 30 has sufficient length to extend into the arc defined by the operation of the ratchet handle 24. The crank 30 includes an outwardly extending distal end 38 that extends beyond the width 36 of the ratchet handle 24. It will be seen in the side elevation view of FIG. 2 that when the ratchet handle 24 is in its stowed position, as shown in solid lines in FIG. 2, the take-up reel crank 30 cannot continue to rotate, since it is blocked or stopped by the distal end of the ratchet handle 24. Thus, the free end 40 of the strap that is reeled onto the take-up reel shaft 28 cannot unroll, since the shaft 28 cannot rotate beyond the stop position defined by the interference of the take-up reel crank 30 with the ratchet handle 24.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the tiedown strap ratchet and take-up reel, designated by the reference numeral 110. The only difference between the strap ratchet and take-up reel 10 of FIGS. 1 through 3 and the tiedown strap ratchet and take-up reel 110 of FIG. 4 is the different configuration of the take-up reel crank(s). The tiedown strap ratchet and take-up reel 110 of FIG. 4 shares like reference numerals for identical components with the strap ratchet and take-up reel 10 of FIGS. 1 through 3.

The tiedown strap ratchet and take-up reel 110 of FIG. 4 includes first and second take-up reel crank arms, respectively 130 a and 130 b, extending from the opposite first and second ends 28 a and 28 b of the strap take-up shaft 28. Each crank has a single arm 130 a, 130 b extending from its respective shaft end, with each crank arm 130 a, 130 b having a distal end, respectively 138 a and 138 b, extending outwardly therefrom. Preferably, the two crank arms 130 a, 130 b extend 180° radially away from one another relative to the axis of the shaft 28. This results in either the first or the second crank arm 130 a or 130 b being stopped by the ratchet handle 24 when the ratchet handle 24 is lowered to its stowed position, with no more than 180° of rotation of the shaft 28 and the wound free end 40 of the strap being permitted, as either one or the other of the two crank arms 130 a or 130 b contact the lowered and stowed ratchet handle 24.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment, designated as tiedown strap ratchet and take-up reel 210. As in the cases of the strap ratchet and take-up reels 10 and 110, identical reference numerals are used for components of the ratchet and reel 210 that are common to the ratchet and reel 10 and 110. The only difference between the ratchet and reel 210 and the ratchet and reel 10 and 110 is the configuration of the reel crank arms.

The strap ratchet and take-up reel 210 has a single crank arm 230, but rather than having one end attached to the take-up shaft, the crank arm 230 has a central portion 230 a with symmetrically opposed arm portions 230 b and 230 c extending radially outwardly from the center 230 a. Each arm portion 230 b, 230 e has an outwardly extending distal end 238 b and 238 c. The ends 238 b and 238 c are stopped by the ratchet handle 24 when the handle 24 is in its lower or stowed position. As the crank arm 230 has two opposed arm portions 230 b and 230 c extending opposite one another, the take-up shaft 28 and the free end 40 of the strap wound thereon will be stopped at no more than 180° of rotation, thus preventing the free end 40 of the strap from unwinding.

Still another embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 6, designated as tiedown strap ratchet and take-up reel 310. Again, most of the components of the ratchet and reel 310 are common to the ratchet and reel 10, 110, and 210, and are designated by the same reference numerals. The ratchet and take-up reel 310 is a modification of the ratchet and reel 110 of FIGS. 4 and 210 of FIG. 5, in that the ratchet and reel 310 of FIG. 6 incorporates two double-ended crank arms, with one on each end of the strap take-up shaft 28. A first crank arm 330 extends from the take-up shaft first end 28 a, and a second crank arm 331 extends from the take-up shaft second end 28 b. The centers of the two crank arms 330, 331 are attached to the first and second ends 28 a, 28 b of the shaft 28, respectively, their opposite arm portions extending outwardly therefrom. The first crank arm 330 has radially opposed crank arm portions 330 a and 330 b, while the second crank arm 331 has radially opposed crank arm portions 331 a and 331 b. The crank arms 330 and 331 have outwardly extending distal end portions. The first crank arm portions 330 a, 330 b has distal end portions 338 a, 338 b, and the second crank arm portions 331 a, 331 b has distal end portions 339 a, 339 b. Preferably, the two crank arms 330, 331 are oriented at right angles to one another, i.e., when one crank arm is horizontal, the other is vertical. In this manner, one of the outwardly extending distal end portions 338 a, 338 b, 339 a, or 339 b will be caught by the handle 24 when the handle 24 is lowered to its stowed position, the reel arms being stopped after no more than 90° of rotation of the take-up shaft 28 and the wound free end portion 40 of the strap.

The various embodiments of the tiedown strap ratchet and take-up reel are all used similarly. Initially, the ratchet mechanism 20 is unlocked, and the working portion 22 of the strap is pulled through the mechanism as necessary to provide sufficient length to secure the cargo. The ratchet mechanism 20 is then actuated to pull the working portion 22 of the strap back through the mechanism as necessary to tighten the strap securely about the cargo. This results in an increasing free end length 40 of the strap, as it trails from the ratchet mechanism 20.

Once the working portion 22 of the strap has been secured tightly about the cargo to the extent desired, the free end portion 40 of the strap may be wound upon the take-up reel 28. To accomplish this, the ratchet handle 24 is left in its raised position, as shown in solid lines in FIGS. 1, 4, and 6 and in broken lines in FIGS. 2 and 5 of the drawings. This allows the extreme distal end of the free portion 40 of the strap to be secured to the reel 28, e.g., by inserting the extreme end through a slot in the reel, and then winding the free portion 40 of the strap about the reel by means of the crank arm(s) of the device. Once the free end of the strap has been wound securely about the reel, the ratchet handle 24 is lowered to its stowed position as shown in solid lines in FIGS. 2 and 5 of the drawings, thereby blocking further rotation of the crank arm(s) to prevent rotation of the reel 28 with resultant unrolling of the free end 40 of the strap. Loosening and/or removal of the strap is accomplished by raising the ratchet handle 24 and releasing the ratchet mechanism 20, thereby allowing the strap to pass through the ratchet mechanism while simultaneously unwinding from the take-up reel or shaft 28 while the ratchet handle is raised.

The two reel take-up anus 26 a, 26 b may be formed as integral extensions of the frame 12 during manufacture. Alternatively, the take-up reel assembly may be provided as an accessory that may be attached (e.g., welded, riveted, etc.) to the anchor strap end of an existing tiedown strap ratchet mechanism, if desired.

The various embodiments presented herein allow the user of such a device to select the degree of security for the rolled free end of the strap, as desired. Generally, the device 10 of FIGS. 1 through 3 will provide sufficient security for the free end of the strap, even though it may allow the strap to unwind up to one full revolution of the crank arm before it contacts the ratchet handle. If several turns are wound about the take-up shaft of the device, the resulting slight amount of slack will be minimal when distributed over several feet of free strap end wound about the take-up shaft. However, in some cases a person may wish to provide greater security for the free end of the strap. Accordingly, the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5, wherein one of the crank arms is stopped at no more than 180° of rotation, or the embodiment of FIG. 6, wherein one of the crank arms will be stopped at no more than 90° of rotation, either of which serve to secure the free end of the strap to an even greater degree than does the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 3. In any event, any of the embodiments of the tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel will ensure that the free end of the cargo tiedown strap cannot become loose and flail in the wind, thus assuring that the vehicle will be in compliance with any laws regarding such loose straps.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel, comprising: a frame having a ratchet end and an anchor strap end opposite the ratchet end; an anchor strap extending from the anchor strap end of the frame; a ratchet mechanism disposed at the ratchet end of the frame; a ratchet handle extending radially from the ratchet mechanism, the ratchet handle having a selectively stowed position adjacent the frame; first and second take-up reel arms extending from the anchor strap end of the frame; a strap take-up shaft disposed between the take-up reel arms, the strap take-up shaft having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; and a take-up reel crank extending radially from the strap take-up shaft, the ratchet handle it precluding complete rotation of the take-up reel crank when the ratchet handle is in its stowed position.
 2. The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to claim 1, wherein: the frame defines a frame width; the ratchet handle defines a ratchet handle width, the ratchet handle width being greater than the frame width; the take-up reel aims define a reel width, the reel width being substantially equal to the frame width; and the take-up reel crank has a distal end extending beyond the ratchet handle width, the ratchet handle interfering with the distal end of the take-up reel crank and precluding complete rotation of the take-up reel crank when the ratchet handle is in its stowed position.
 3. The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to claim 1, wherein the take-up reel crank comprises a single arm extending radially outward from one end of the strap take-up shaft.
 4. The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to claim 1, wherein the take-up reel crank comprises: a first arm extending radially outward from the first end of the strap take-up shaft; and a second arm extending radially outward from the second end of the strap take-up shaft, the second arm being oriented 180° opposite the first arm.
 5. The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to claim 1, wherein the take-up reel crank comprises a single arm having a center affixed to one end of the strap take-up shaft, the arm having mutually opposed arm portions oriented 180° opposite one another and extending radially outward from the strap take-up shaft.
 6. The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to claim 1, wherein the take-up reel crank comprises: a first arm having a center affixed to the first end of the strap take-up shaft, the first arm having mutually opposed arm portions oriented 180° opposite one another and extending radially outward from the strap take-up shaft; and a second arm having a center affixed to the second end of the strap take-up shaft, the second arm having mutually opposed arm portions oriented 180° opposite one another and extending radially outward from the strap take-up shaft, the second arm being oriented 90° to the first arm.
 7. The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to claim 1, further including a tiedown strap having a working portion secured to the ratchet mechanism and a free end extending therefrom, the free end being selectively wound about the strap take-up shaft.
 8. A tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel, comprising: a frame having a ratchet end and an anchor strap end opposite the ratchet end, the frame defining a frame width; an anchor strap extending from the anchor strap end of the frame; a ratchet mechanism disposed at the ratchet end of the frame; a ratchet handle extending radially from the ratchet mechanism, the ratchet handle defining a ratchet handle width, the ratchet handle width being greater than the frame width, the ratchet handle having a selectively stowed position adjacent the frame; first and second take-up reel arms extending from the anchor strap end of the frame, the take-up reel arms defining a reel width, the reel width being substantially equal to the frame width; a strap take-up shaft disposed between the take-up reel arms, the strap take-up shaft having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; and a take-up reel crank extending radially from the strap take-up shaft, the crank having a distal end extending beyond the ratchet handle width, the ratchet handle interfering with the distal end of the crank and precluding complete rotation of the take-up reel crank when the ratchet handle is in its stowed position.
 9. The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to claim 8, wherein the take-up reel crank comprises a single arm extending radially outward from one end of the strap take-up shaft.
 10. The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to claim 8, wherein the take-up reel crank comprises: a first aim extending radially outward from the first end of the strap take-up shaft; and a second arm extending radially outward from the second end of the strap take-up shaft, the second arm being oriented 180° opposite the first arm.
 11. The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to claim 8, wherein the take-up reel crank comprises a single arm having a center affixed to one end of the strap take-up shaft, the aim having mutually opposed arm portions oriented 180° opposite one another and extending radially outward from the strap take-up shaft.
 12. The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to claim 8, wherein the take-up reel crank comprises: a first arm having a center affixed to the first end of the strap take-up shaft, the first arm having mutually opposed arm portions oriented 180° opposite one another and extending radially outward from the strap take-up shaft; and a second arm having a center affixed to the second end of the strap take-up shaft, the second arm having mutually opposed arm portions oriented 180° opposite one another and extending radially outward from the strap take-up shaft, the second arm being oriented 90 degrees to the first arm.
 13. The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to claim 8, further including a tiedown strap having a working portion secured to the ratchet mechanism and a free end extending therefrom, the free end being selectively wound about the strap take-up shaft.
 14. A take-up reel for a tiedown strap ratchet, the tiedown strap ratchet having a frame defining a ratchet end and an anchor strap end opposite the ratchet end, an anchor strap extending from the anchor strap end of the frame, a ratchet mechanism disposed at the ratchet end of the frame, a ratchet handle extending radially from the ratchet mechanism, the ratchet handle having a selectively stowed position adjacent the frame, the take-up reel comprising: first and second take-up reel arms extending from the anchor strap end of the frame; a strap take-up shaft disposed between the take-up reel arms, the strap take-up shaft having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; and a take-up reel crank extending radially from the strap take-up shaft, the ratchet handle precluding complete rotation of the take-up reel crank when the ratchet handle is in its stowed position.
 15. The take-up reel for a tiedown strap ratchet according to claim 14, wherein: the take-up reel arms define a reel width, the reel width being substantially equal to a width of the frame; and the take-up reel crank has a distal end extending beyond the ratchet handle, the ratchet handle interfering with the distal end of the take-up reel crank and precluding complete rotation of the take-up reel crank when the ratchet handle is in its stowed position.
 16. The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to claim 14, wherein the take-up reel crank comprises a single aim extending radially outward from one end of the strap take-up shaft.
 17. The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to claim 14, wherein the take-up reel crank comprises: a first arm extending radially outward from the first end of the strap take-up shaft; and a second arm extending radially outward from the second end of the strap take-up shaft, the second arm being oriented 180° opposite the first arm.
 18. The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to claim 14, wherein the take-up reel crank comprises a single arm having a center affixed to one end of the strap take-up shaft, the arm having mutually opposed arm portions oriented 180° opposite one another and extending radially outward from the strap take-up shaft.
 19. The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to claim 14, wherein the take-up reel crank comprises; a first arm having a center affixed to the first end of the strap take-up shaft, the first arm having mutually opposed arm portions oriented 180″ opposite one another and extending radially outward from the strap take-up shaft; and a second arm having a center affixed to the second end of the strap take-up shaft, the second arm having mutually opposed arm portions oriented 180° opposite one another and extending radially outward from the strap take-up shaft, the second arm being oriented 90° to the first arm.
 20. The tiedown strap ratchet with take-up reel according to claim 14, further including a tiedown strap having a working portion secured to the ratchet mechanism and a free end extending therefrom, the free end being selectively wound about the strap take-up shaft. 